The Nicodemus Experience

Nicodemus came to Jesus in the early evening and said "Teacher (Rabbi) we know that you are from God because no one can do these things (miracles) unless God is with him." Nicodemus recognised that this man Jesus was from God. He had seen enough to convince him that Jesus offered something different. This man was an educated man, a Pharisee, someone who knew the law and it's interpretation inside out, yet he still had to come and find out for himself. He could have decided to stay at home, but he had enough of an inquiring mind to want to explore who this Jesus was. He came using the royal 'we', yet this was a personal exploration. We all have to want to know who this Jesus is if we ever want to make a difference and influence those around us.

What we read in John 3:2 is of Nicodemus making a statement, he doesn't ask any questions but I suspect he has many. The questions always generate more questions, the statement says something about what I know. Nicodemus knew that Jesus was from God, what a great starting point. Do we know that Jesus is from God?

In this instance we see that because a statement was made by Nicodemus Jesus was able to make a statement of his own and cut right to the heart of the matter and say "unless one is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God". Where did that come from? Nicodemus never asked that question but what Jesus had recognised in the statement "no one can do unless God is with him" was an understanding and a spiritual awakening that here was a man who wanted to know more. Jesus makes his statement in response to Nicodemus's spiritual cry not his intellectual understanding. God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit. It is not what I learn in my head that counts it is what I learn and receive in my spirit that is of value. We need to cultivate an attitude of spirit that hears the spirit of God speak.

We don't read that Nicodemus made any commitment but what he obviously heard made a distinct difference as we read in John 7:50 that he quietly defends Jesus and his ministry and then again in John 19:39 that he came with Joseph of Arimathea to anoint Jesus body and place it in the tomb. What respect Nicodemus had for this man, this man who so obviously was from God.

The spirit spoken had changed this man's intelligent investigation and observations into something that had far reaching spiritual significance, that of a raised Christ.

He recognised that Jesus had to be from God so that had to make a difference.

Do our intelligent questions and desires motivate us to seek out Jesus and acknowledge that he is from God? and when we hear the discourse that "God so loved that He gave" John 3:16  does it motivate us into action to quietly and bravely stand up for our Lord?